A sermon, based on 1 Kings 4:29-34 and Luke 17:11-19. Inspired by Klaus Bockmuhl's Living by the Gospel, Ian Bradley's Music of the Night, Paula Gooder's Everyday God, Richard Harries' God Outside the Box, Timoth Keller's The Reason for God, James Martin's In All Seasons, for All Reasons, and Mayfield Salisbury Church's Look Well On These Skies.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
We’re right in the thick of festival season here in Edinburgh, aren’t we? Everywhere you turn, something is happening. The city is alive with music, laughter, and creativity.
This week, I went to an event at the Festival of Sacred Arts that completely amazed me. It brought together the author and academic, Ian Bradley, and the choir at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. They explored how religion and the Christian faith have influenced musicals like The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, and Fiddler on the Roof. So, a whole new take on musical theatre!
Take the song If I Were a Rich Man. Tevye, the poor milkman, dreams of a big house, fine clothes, and plenty of food. But at the end, he says what he really wants most is time: time to sit with the wise men in the synagogue, to learn, understand, and share the wisdom to live well and see where God is at work.
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on wisdom, gratitude, and noticing God at work in our lives. In 1 Kings, Solomon is granted wisdom that goes beyond facts, giving him insight into the order and purposes woven into creation. In a way, this was an early form of science, observing patterns, discerning causes, and making sense of the world God made. In Luke, we hear the story of ten people healed of leprosy. Only one returns to give thanks, demonstrating the wisdom to recognise not just the physical healing, but the deeper gift of God’s grace and the ways God works in the world around us.
A few years back, members of Mayfield Salisbury Church put together a really useful book about science and faith, detailing the ways in which they are not opposing forces but complementary ways of exploring, appreciating, and navigating the world God has made.
You may feel it is slightly ambitious for me to embark on a debate between faith and science in my third-ever sermon, but please bear with me!
To my mind, science helps us understand how the world works: why the sky is blue, how trees grow, or how our bodies function. Faith invites us to see meaning, purpose, and God’s presence in the world that science describes. We might find Him when a sunrise takes our breath away, when music stirs our hearts, or when an act of kindness moves us. God is the reason there is life, the order in creation, and the possibility of love, wisdom, and flourishing within it.
Richard Harries expresses this beautifully: “God who is perfect love knows every point of the universe from the inside and bears it within his heart. The word ‘sympathy’ means ‘to suffer with.’ God suffers with his creation.” After all, our picture of God comes from Jesus. In Him, we do not see a distant ruler who fixes everything from above, controlling life like a puppet master. Instead, we see someone moved by love, who experiences life as we do, and who responds personally to those around Him.
As humans, we are called to live in a similar way, making conscious choices and shaping our lives with purpose. Of course, we must meet basic needs like food and shelter, but life is also about seeking something deeper: creating meaning, moving beyond mere coping, and living with the conviction that life can triumph. This is where wisdom comes in: wisdom to know what matters most and to find strength and hope in the midst of challenges.
And where do we find that wisdom? It is not only in books or abstract ideas, but in the ordinary moments of life where God is present. God is in our busy workplaces, in our quirky families, and even when we are alone. When we speak to someone, perhaps the encounter happens because they are struggling, and God is inviting us to offer a kind word. When we eat, we can pause to give thanks for the nourishment. When a sunbeam falls across the carpet, we can rejoice in the beauty of creation. In noticing these things, we begin to see God and respond with gratitude.
And that brings us to the Gospel reading. Jesus meets ten men with leprosy. He heals them all. But only one comes back to say thank you. Only one turns around to notice what has happened and to give thanks to God. The others rush on with their lives, and we can hardly blame them, seeing as they have been healed and now they can go home to their families to start living again. But only one takes that extra step to recognise the grace he has received, and that makes all the difference.
Gratitude and wisdom go hand in hand. Gratitude slows us down. It helps us to see God in the ordinary moments of life, and that is where wisdom begins. The wisdom that Solomon had, the wisdom that the healed man glimpsed, is the wisdom of seeing life in the light of God’s presence. This is what happens with the healed man who returns to Jesus. He is no longer just coping, no longer just surviving; he is living in gratitude and in a relationship with God.
Science explains the mechanics of the world. Faith helps us see its meaning. When we stand before a beautiful sunset, when we hear a moving piece of music, or when we see someone care for another, we encounter wonder, awe, and love, all of these glimpses of God’s presence.
Faith opens our eyes to see more than what can be measured. Like the healed leper, we are invited to recognise God’s presence and give thanks. God is not separate from life or his creation, but walks with us through it.
As we enjoy festival season, with music, laughter, and surprises, let us remember what really matters. Wisdom is more precious than gold. It is seeing God at work in the ordinary and extraordinary, giving thanks, and living courageously.
May we, like the leper who returned, notice the gifts in our lives. May we, like Tevye, long for the wisdom to understand and share God’s love. Let us do more than just get through the week. Let us live by the Gospel, with grateful hearts, trusting in the God who is with us, who suffers with us, and who brings hope beyond measure.
Let us go from here, noticing blessings, sharing wisdom, and living with a God who walks with us through every sunbeam, every struggle, and every song of life.
Amen.
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